Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Lin
Hi Sydney , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My mom took me to my first musical, Suessical, when I was two years old. I have always been surrounded by music, theatre and storytelling. Both of my parents are quite dramatic but I am the first actor out of my family. I grew up at the Eau Claire Children’s Theatre in Wisconsin, taking classes and eventually participating in shows when I was eleven. I fell in love with music and dancing and found community in the theatre. My high school did not have a strong theatre program but had a great music department where I was able to grow my music education. My chorus director taught me how to sing but also how to be an empathetic artist who is constantly growing and wanting to learn. I was lucky enough to be accepted to the BFA musical theatre program at Minnesota State University Mankato and was surrounded by artists who promote growth and community for the competiitve theatre industry.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not entirely. I was definitely not born with the singing chops of Barbara Streisand or the dance moves of Fred Astaire. I was the only person in my family who wanted to pursue anything like this. I was very privileged to have parents that could support me in the arts and encourage me to chase these crazy dreams. Being cast in ensembles taught me that it takes a community to tell a story, not just one person. As a mixed Asian American woman, I did not fit the box of the classic ingenue. Blonde hair, blue eyes, and a skinny waist who can belt up to the rafters is often was is looked for (especially in the Midwest) and I wasn’t able to embrace these roles until university. There I was blessed with professors who created equal opportunities in their program for those willing to do the work and not just look the part.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a performer based in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. My main medium is the theatre and especially musical theatre. I am a classically trained mezzo-soprano with dance training in various types jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, and improv. My acting training is in the Stanislavski method and I as continue to grow as a performer I hope to dive in to psychological, experimental work that focuses on the human condition. I aimbring humanity and realism to musical theatre and mend the gap from make-believe to real life struggles.
What does success mean to you?
I define success in finding joy and being fulfilled in the art that you love to do. Success in the arts should not be determined by fame or wealth but by telling those stories that will affect you and your audience and leaving them with something to think about.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sydneyssite4.godaddysites.com/
- Instagram: _sydneylin_
